TexasGal wrote:The voice of experience: Take detailed pictures or video of every wall, every room, every floor, and all of the property when you leave. Otherwise, you may face expensive "clean up" fees. This guy sounds like the type who will want you to foot the bill for all new carpet, paint, etc., and claim it was excessive abuse on your part that made it necessary. Normal wear and tear is to be expected.
While this whole thing is unfair, it is not illegal and it is his property. If you have been renting for several years, this guy is also your only recent reference to give to your next perspective landlord. Don't count on renting anywhere very easily without a reference. Giving him a load of stuff in retaliation may feel satisfying, but would certainly also hand the guy concrete things to say against you to another landlord.
If you think he is going to be a problem that way, then see if you can get notarized statements from your next door neighbors as to your care of the place, lack of disturbances, etc. Compile proof (bank statements etc) that your rent was always on time, and even hand a perspective landlord a background check record you ran on yourself when you decide you want a property before he can have a chance to call the jerk. I know someone who did all this to overcome a bad reference from a former vindictive landlord and it worked. I do understand this will not sit well with the urge to strike back and I don't blame you one bit but the goal is be able to rent a place you really want elsewhere.
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LeonCarr wrote:Is it in the lease that firearms and ammunition are forbidden?
Holding you rent hostage will leave you wide open for an eviction lawsuit, you will lose in court, and you will get to pay court costs and late fees on top of what you owe him for back rent.
I would just move, make sure the place is spotless when you leave, and make sure that you get your deposit back. If not, and he does not give you an itemized in writing list of what he used your deposit money for within 30 days, then per the Texas Property Code you can sue him for three times your deposit plus 100 bucks. Then go buy more guns :).
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Two excellent pieces of advice. As has been pointed out in threads on other topics the landlord is just exercising his free market enterprise rights. Not much different from vendors raising their prices in times of shortage. As pointed out discretion on your part has many benefits and in he long run you will be better for exercising it.